Solvent stripping apparatus



March 16, 1954 Q SWENSON 2,672,330

SOLVENT STRI'PPING APPARATUS Original Filed May 29, 1947 A I I I I; i In I 7 L l g? l I l "i l I 21 1 \I 27 I! 25 I l i l a i H i 32 26 swam/tow Oscar J. Swenson cw if Patented Mar. 16, 1954 SOLVENT STRIPPIN G APPARATUS Oscar J. Swenson, Crystal Lake, 11],, assignor to The Cuban-American Sugar Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey, and S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc., Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Original application May 29, ,1947, Serial No. 751,439. Divided and this application May 8;

1950, Serial No. 160,739

3 Claims. (Cl. 261-84) 1 Thisinvention relates to a method of stripping entrained solvent from cachaza and apparatus therefor. More particularly, it relates to a novel method of stripping from sugar mill press cake, more generally known as cachaza, the entrained solvent which remains after wax has been extracted from the cachaza, and a novel vertical type apparatus for use therewith.

This application is a divisional of my co-pending application, Serial Number 751,439, filed May 29, 1947 now abandoned for a Method of Stripping Solvent and Apparatus Therefor.

Cane wax is present on the outer surface of the stalk in all varieties of sugar cane. Various methods for obtaining this wax have been proposed, as by scraping the stalk with a sharp instrument, and by passing the stalks through a bath of water heated sufliciently to melt the wax prior to pressing. Rosales, United States Patent No. 2,009,522, suggested drying the cachaza as dry as possible before extracting the wax. However, none of these proposals have proven to be practical.

Cachaza is generally filtered either through a plate--and-frame filter, or a rotary vacuum filter, and the sucrose content recovered. Generally, a filter aid such as bagacillo is used with the rotary vacuum filter which results in a more porous filter cake from which the sucrose content may be more efficiently removed.

After the cachaza has been filtered, it is treated with a solvent which extracts cane wax therefrom. In order to make the extraction process commercially feasible, it is essential that any entrained solvent in the extracted cachaza be recovered.

I have, therefore, developed a. new and novel method for stripping entrained solvent from cachaza using a vertical type stripper wherein cachaza in a fluid state is intimately contacted with steam and the entrained solvent removed from the cachaza by vaporization. I have also developeda novel vertical stripper particularly adaptable for carrying out this method.

My invention, therefore, broadly stated is the method of stripping entrained solvent from cachaza comprising flowing liquid cachaza downward, with sufficient agitation to keep in a liquid state through a solvent vaporizing zone maintained at solvent vaporizing temperature, and traveling countercurrent to an upwardly moving stream of steam, and removing the solvent from the solvent vaporizing zone.

, In addition, I have developed a solvent stripper particularly adapted for carrying out this method comprising a closed vessel mounted vertically and having charge inlets and discharge outlets, a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal plates so constructed and positioned within said closed vessel to provide a passageway alternately at the outside and center of said plates,

a shield aflixed to each of said plates to define said passageway, and extending above to provide an overflow weir into said passageway, and extending downward to a point lower than the crest of the overflow weir of the plate below, and agitating means being provided within said vessel. The agitating means includes a vertical shaft having a plurality of arms attached thereto with each arm having a plurality of fingers. The agitating means is positioned immediately above each plate. The plates are preferably foraminous plates of alternately varying size having center apertures of alternately varying size, the larger plates having the larger center apertures.

The invention will be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which is shown a vertical type solvent stripper particularly adapted for carrying out the method of this invention. While I have developed the solvent stripper illustrated herewith for carrying out my novel method, it is to be understood that the method is not limited to this type of mud stripper alone. For example, the method may be carried out in a closed vertical vessel devoid of any horizontal plates, but provided with an indirectly or tortuous path so that intimate contacting of the steam, solvent and the cachaza may be achieved.

The same reference numerals have been used by the designation of like parts throughout and in the drawing.

Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of the solvent stripper with the parts broken away shown in cross section.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a horizontal plate with a center passageway taken along the lines 2--2.

Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view in perspective showing the path of the cachaza and of thesolvent as it flows through the stripper.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, the stripper I0 is a vertical type stripper consisting essentially of a closed steel cylindrical shell ll mounted vertically and containing a plurality of foraminous horizontal steel plates l2 and It! with a vertical shaft l8 positioned on the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shell II.

The plates 12 and I3 are positioned alternately throughout the stripper Ill and are aflixed by means of bolts It to a bracket assembly 15 which in turn is secured to the cylindrical shell II by means of cap screws IS. A sealed ring i1 is positioned between the plate i3 and the inside wall of the cylindrical shell i I to prevent liquid from passing between the plate l3 and the inside wall of the cylindrical shell I I. Around the center aperture of plate I3 is afllxed a cylindrical shield I9a to furnish a passageway for the flow of cachaza from plate 13 to plate I! below. It will be noted that the top of shield l9a is positioned above the horizontal plate I3 so as to form a weir to maintain the desired depth of cachaza on plate [3. The cachaza overflows the .top of shield Na and flows downward to lower plate 12. It should also be noted that the shield l9a extends downward to a point below the surface of the cachaza on the plate below, providing a pasform a seal to prevent liquid from passing through the center aperture of plate 12. At a plurality of points around its periphery plate I2 is aflixed to bracket assemblies by means of bolts l4 and welding in such manner as to provide an opening between the plate l2 and the inside wall of the cylindrical shell II to provide the flow of cachaza from plate l2 to lower plate i3. Around the periphery of plate 12 is ailixed a cylindrical shield [9b which together with the inside wall of cylindrical shell H forms an annular passageway for the downward flow of cachaza from plate l2 to plate l3 below. It should be noted that the shield 19b extends downward to point below the surface of the cachaza on the plate below, providing a passageway for cachaza sealed at the bottom against entry of steam, thus forcing the steam to pass upward through the perforations of the plate into the cachaza resting thereon.

It will also be noted that the top of shield 19b is positioned above the horizontal plate l2 so as to form a weir to maintain the desired depth of cachaza on plate l2. The cachaza overflows the top of shield 19b and flows downward to lower plate l3.

To guard against the possibility of a sufficient amonut of cachaza splashing over the weirs as a result of agitation to break the seal at the bottom of the passageways, splash guards 20 and M are positioned adjacent to their respective weirs l9a and I917 respectively.

It will be understood the size of the plates may vary, as well as the size of the passageways depending upon the size of the stripper, operating conditions and the like. It will also be understood that the number of plates may be varied. In the illustrated stripper plates are used.

The vertical shaft l8 passes through the center apertures of the successive plates l2 and [3. To cause the cachaza to behave like a liquid and insure its flow, a plurality of agitator arms 25 are attached to the drive shaft l8 by any suitable means. The arms 25 are provided with a plurality of fingers 21 adapted to agitate the cachaza on the plates i2 and 13. The number of arms may vary. I have used four arms to provide the agitation on each plate in the illustrated stripper Ill.

The stripper i0 is provided with a cachaza charge inlet 28 and a cachaza discharge outlet 4 29. A manhole 26 is provided for inspection. The stripper I0 is further provided with a steam charge inlet 30 and a steam and solvent vapor discharge outlet 3|. The bottom of the stripper l0 below the steam charge inlet 30 is preferably in the form of an inverted cone and is provided with stirring arms 32 which are afilxed to the vertical shaft 18. Below the stirring arms 32 is positioned anoverflow vessel 33. It will be noted that shield 19a affixed to the first plate immediately above the steam charge inlet 30 provides a passageway directly into the overflow vessel 33 the cachaza in which serves to seal the bottom of the passageway. The vertical shaft I8 is provided with a stufllng box assembly 34. The source of power for driving the shaft I8 is not shown.

In operating the stripper ill live steam is introduced into the base of the stripper l0 through steam charge inlet 3|! and passes upward successively through the perforations in the foraminous horizontal steel plates I2 and i3 and-the layer of cachaza above each-plate. The cachaza containing the entrained solvent, such as heptane. is introduced in the liquid state into the stripper Ill through a cachaza charge inlet 28. The cachaza overflows the weir along the outside periphery of plate [2 and descends to lower plate 13. The cachaza then flows radially to the center of lower plate l3 and overflows the weir there and descends to plate [2 below. Thereafter the cachaza flows downward through successive p ates repeating the cycle described above. As the steam issued through the openings in any particular plate it is met by the agitator arm 25 and thoroughly mixed with the cachaza thereby providing good contact between the cachaza and the steam. The steam heats the cachaza and vaporizes the entrained solvent and carries the vaporized solvent upwardly through the stripper Hi. The steam carrying the vaporized solvent leaves the stripper 10 through a steam-solvent vapor discharge outlet 3|. The solvent may be recovered by condensing the steam and the solvent vapor and decanting the resultant mixed condensates to separate the solvent from the water.

The operating conditions in carrying out my method will vary over a wide range. The liquid cachaza as it enters the stripper I0 is preferably around 200 F. Since this is above the mutual boiling point of water and heptane, a considerable portion of the heptane flashes into vapor immediately at the point of entry. Saturated steam enters the bottom of the stripper Ill and heats the cachaza and solvent as the steam rises. The temperature of the steam-solvent vapor .as it leaves the stripper I0 is upward of the mutual boiling point of the solvent and water at the existing pressure. It will be understood that stripping temperatures will vary in accordance with the solvent used, the type of strippers used and the desired operating conditions.

While I prefer the use of heptane in carrying out the extraction of the crude wax from the cachaza, because of its low price and availability, there are various other water-immiscible organic solvents which may be used. For example, there may be used such solvents as benzene, toluene, xylenes, hexanes, heptanes, octanes, nonanes, singly or in admixtures, saturated cyclic hydrocabrons, as cyclohexane, and chlorinated hydrocarbons, as for example, butyl chloride and amyl chloride. Other solvents may be used, such as, lower allgvl acetates and propionates having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl,

propyl, butyl and amyl derivatives. The stripper described in accordance with my invention will operate to remove any of the Wax solvents used in the extraction.

While I have disclosed herein a novel method and apparatus for stripping entrained solvent from cachaza, attention is directed to the following related applications which I am prosecuting simultaneously with this application as follows:

I have disclosed and claimed a complete system of extracting wax from cachaza wherein the step of stripping entrained solvent from the cachaza is claimed in combination with several other steps in my co-pending application S. N. 751,442, filed May 29, 1947 in the United States Patent Office, now Patent Number 2,508,002.

I have specifically claimed the method and apparatus for extracting wax from cachaza in my co-pending application S. N. 751,441, filed May 29, 1947 in the United States Patent Oilice, now Patent Number 2,554,073.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed instead of those explained, changes being made as regards the method or apparatus herein disclosed provided the steps or elements stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated steps or elements be employed.

I claim:

1. A solvent stripper comprising a closed vessel mounted vertically and having charge inlets and discharge outlets, a vertical rotatable shaft centrally located within said vessel, a plurality of single, vertically spaced horizontal foraminous plates alternately disposed adjacent to the inner periphery of said vessel and said vertical shaft to provide alternate circumferential, passageways defined by cylindrical bands coacting with said inner periphery, and central passageways, defined by tubular shields coacting with said vertical shafts, for the descent of fluid material, said tubular shields extending above each of said plates a predetermined distance to provide an overflow weir into said passageway and extending below periphery of said vessel and said vertical shaft to provide alternate circumferential, passageways defined by cylindrical bands coacting with said inner periphery, and central passageways, defined by tubular shields coacting with said vertical shafts, for the descent of fluid material, said tubular shields extending above each of said plates a predetermined distance to provide an overflow weir into said passageway and extending below each of said plates to a point lower than the crest of the overflow weir of the plate below, and agitating means being provided within said vessel, said means including a plurality of arms aflixed to said vertical shaft, said arms being adapted to move across the upper surface of said plates.

3. A solvent stripper comprising a closed vessel mounted vertically and having charge inlets and discharge outlets, a vertical rotatable shaft centrally located within said vessel, a plurality of single, vertically spaced horizontal foraminous plates alternately disposed adjacent to the inner periphery of said vessel and said vertical shaft to provide alternate circumferential, passageways defined by cylindrical bands coacting with said inner periphery, and central passageways, defined by tubular shields coacting with said vertical ,shafts, for the descent of fluid material, said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,480,888 Marshall Jan. 15, 1924 1,782,862 Wagner Nov. 25, 1930 2,007,759 Harmon July 9, 1935 2,339,561 Durrum Jan. 18, 1944 2,558,222 Parkinson June 26, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 7,536 Great Britain Mar. 25, 1911 444,911 Germany May 21, 1927 839,695 France Jan. 7, 1939 

